Observations- Throughout every lecture and activity, I will constantly be observing the students to make sure they are doing their work/activity, doing it correctly, and understanding what they are doing and why.
Questioning Strategies- Every day, I ask specific, well thought out questions to the class. It is a fast and easy way to check quickly for understanding. I can also analyze all classroom discussion, not just the questions I provide to assess their understanding.
Student Record Keeping- Students will be writing in their journals almost every day, answering or responding to the question of the day. Since these journals stay in the classroom, I will be able to read/respond/check for understanding at least every few days. Even if they aren't being graded on their journals, they can express their ideas and check for understanding.
Group Work- Even though they aren't formally being graded on their group work and "jigsaw" activities, I will absolutely assess them while they are doing so.
Summative Assessments:
Graded Homework- I will often give out graded homework relating to something that we have just done in class. For example, I will be assigning an essay for homework for the video : Evolving Ideas: Isn't Evolution Just a Theory? It will be graded based on the rubric below (which the students will see beforehand)
Activity- Students will be graded on the Origami Birds Activity. They are required to hand in the worksheets that accompany it, which will be graded.
End-of-unit test- I will be giving a unit test on the last day of the unit (which can be found here-
). This will help me to learn how much, what the students did, and didn't learn. Not just will it allow me to assess them, but I will be able to get better idea of how successful my teaching strategies. Also, because it isn't all multiple choice questions and includes written work, I will be able to see their thought process for their answers.
Grading of Essays
Beginning
Knowledgeable
Exemplary
Expression
Ideas are vague and not well supported (2 pts)
Ideas expressed are concrete and supported by thoughts and evidence (4 pts)
Ideas expressed are concrete, show depth of though, and are well supported (5 pts)
Clarity
The question of the essay is not answered, opinions are meandering and unfocused (1 pt)
The question is answered clearly and thoughtfully, focus is somewhat lacking. (2 pts)
The question is answered clearly and thoughtfully, writer maintains focus and clearly defends position. (3 pts)
Grammar
Major gramattical errors ( 0 pts)
Some minor grammar or spelling errors (1 pt)
No grammar or spelling errors, paragraphs flow (2 pts)
Formative Assessment:
Summative Assessments:
Grading of Essays
Home Unit Plan